Mr. Ensign (for himself,
Mr. Reid, Mr.
Hatch, Mr. Begich, and
Mr. Bennett) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed
Services

A BILL

To require an Air Force study on the threats to, and
sustainability of, the air test and training range infrastructure.

1.

Study on air force test and
training range infrastructure

(a)

Study

(1)

In
general

The Secretary of the Air Force shall conduct a study on
the ability of the major air test and training range infrastructure, including
major military operating area airspace and special use airspace, to support the
full spectrum of Air Force operations. The Secretary shall incorporate the
results of the study into a master plan for requirements and proposed
investments to meet Air Force training and test needs through 2025. The study
and the master plan shall be known as the 2025 Air Test and Training
Range Enhancement Plan.

(2)

Consultation

The
Secretary of the Air Force shall, in conducting the study required under
paragraph (1), consult with the Secretaries of the other military departments
to determine opportunities for joint use and training of the ranges, and to
assess the requirements needed to support combined arms training on the ranges.
The Secretary shall also consult with the Department of the Interior, the
Department of Agriculture, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Federal
Energy Regulation Commission to assess the need for transfers of administrative
control of certain parcels to the Department of Defense to protect the missions
and control of the ranges.

(b)

Reports

(1)

In
general

The Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the
congressional defense committees (as that term is defined in section 101 of
title 10, United States Code) an interim report and a final report on the plan
required under subsection (a) not later than 120 days and 210 days,
respectively, after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2)

Content

The
plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall—

(A)

document the
current condition and adequacy of the major Air Force test and training range
infrastructure in the United States to meet test and training
requirements;

(B)

identify
potential areas of concern for maintaining the physical safety, security, and
current operating environment of such infrastructure;

(C)

identify
potential issues and threats related to the sustainability of the test and
training infrastructure, including electromagnetic spectrum encroachment,
overall bandwidth availability, and protection of classified
information;

(D)

assess
coordination among ranges and local, state, regional, and Federal entities
involved in land use planning, and develop recommendations on how to improve
communication and coordination of such entities;

(E)

propose remedies
and actions to manage economic development on private lands on or surrounding
the test and training infrastructure to preserve current capabilities;

(F)

identify critical
parcels of land not currently under the control of the Air Force for
acquisition of deed or restrictive easements in order to protect current
operations, access and egress corridors, and range boundaries, or to expand the
capability of the air test and training ranges;

(G)

identify which
parcels identified pursuant to subparagraph (F) could, through the acquisition
of conservation easements, serve military interests while also preserving
recreational access to public and private lands, protecting wildlife habitat,
or preserving opportunities for energy development and energy
transmission;

(H)

prioritize
improvements and modernization of the facilities, equipment, and technology
supporting the infrastructure in order to provide a test and training
environment that accurately simulates and or portrays the full spectrum of
threats and targets of likely United States adversaries in 2025;

(I)

incorporate
emerging requirements generated by requirements for virtual training and new
weapon systems, including the F–22, the F–35, space and cyber systems, and
Remotely Piloted Aircraft;

(J)

assess the value
of State and local legislative initiatives to protect Air Force test and
training range infrastructure;

(K)

identify parcels
with no value to future military operations; and

(L)

propose a list of
prioritized projects, easements, acquisitions, or other actions, including
estimated costs required to upgrade the test and training range infrastructure,
taking into consideration the criteria set forth in this paragraph.

(3)

Form

Each
report required under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form,
but may include a classified annex as necessary.

(4)

Rule of
construction

The reports submitted under this section shall not
be construed as meeting the requirements of section 2815(d) of the Military
Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 (Public Law 106–65; 113
Stat. 852).